Sausage Spaghetti Monsters

I’d like to be under the sea
In an octopus’s garden in the shade
He’d let us in, knows where we’ve been
In his octopus’s garden in the shade

Wotchers!

Short and sweet for this post – I’ve been muttering about mentioning these for ages – and my daughter has eaten them twice today already – and it’s only 2.00pm!

Here’s a quick weeknight supper idea – and a bit of fun if you’ve got young children (or are a big kid yourself): Tinned frankfurter and pasta octopi. If you poach them gently in stock, the sausages keep their flavour while the pasta cooks.

I’ve tried a number of different pastas – angel hair is too thin – just ends up a tangled blob. Spaghetti is not too bad, but the best effect comes from using bucatini – which can be described either as hollow, thick spaghetti, or long, straight, thin macaroni. I found some in my local Sainsbury’s supermarket – 80p for 500g.

I like making them look like jellyfish/octopuses – but we’ve also tried making beetles, centipedes and caterpillars. My daughter likes her monsters tossed in a little red pesto with some grated cheese – but other children I’ve made it for prefer them plain. Your call.

Sausage Spaghetti Monsters – serves 2 big kids, or 4 small ones

1 jar/tin of frankfurters/hot dogs in brine (thick ones work well)
1 packet bucatini
Chicken or vegetable stock
Steamed veggies
Pesto and grated cheese (optional)

• Drain the sausages and cut each one into 3 or 4 pieces, as you like.
• Break some bucatini in half and push 5 or 6 pieces into one of the cut ends of the sausages.
• Bring some stock to the boil, turn it down to a simmer and gently drop the sausage shapes into the pan.
• Cover and let them poach gently until the pasta is cooked to your taste.
• Steam some green veggies (beans, savoy cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) while the pasta is cooking.
• Drain pasta monsters and toss in pesto, if using.
• Arrange veggie garden and populate with spaghetti monsters.
• Sprinkle with cheese and enjoy. 😀

Cost: Approx £1.65 (incl. pesto/cheese, hot dogs 2 tins for £1.00, September 2011)